Has anyone ever bought from Ralph Davis?

he has so many different combos, prices change ALL the time, and a lack of a price means that he probably is willing to negotiate.

I have heard nothing but great things about him but his website as a whole just gives me a head ache. I will stick to ordering from mike wilbanks thats just my preference

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sho220

I don't understand the "quality" thing...what makes a spider from RDR better "quality" than a spider from someone else?

---

Really? You don't understand the "quality" thing?

Take a look at the average adult jungle carpet python.. browned out and dirty. Take a look at all the adult jungles produced by John Battaglia over at the Morelia Trophy Club (and not even just his jungles, but ALL his snakes). Certain people are just particularly known for having above average specimens of certain morphs or species.

Not all spider ball pythons are the same, not all pastels are the same, not all bumblebees are the same. Some people consistently produce better looking versions of a particular ball python morph, and from what I've seen of Ralph Davis' animals, he is one of them.

I never look for the cheapest, ugliest specimen of what I'm looking for. I pay more, and so far I've always gotten more.

I think it also has to do with the fact that he produces thousands of snakes...or atleast hundreds every season..If he had to go through and say alright this snake is $XX and this snake is $XX with a picture for each one it would take FOREVER and for someone who has that many snakes in their collection to care for, and that many feeders to produce each week, along with running a construction business(or whatever he does..) I'm sure he would rather just pick up the phone hear what the customer wants and instantly quote a price instead of spending hours and hours and hours putting up prices for each and every snake he produces on his website...That being said I agree that it would be easier for the shopper to see a price tag on every snake but he does it the way that is easy for him..he's been doing this for a long time, I'm sure it works just fine.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mainbutter

he has so many different combos, prices change ALL the time, and a lack of a price means that he probably is willing to negotiate.

---

I mean come on... were talking Ball Pythons here. This isn't the NASDAQ where the prices are fluxuating every day.

I can give you a list of 10+ breeders who have prices up on there pages who sell just as awesome BP's and have alot of different combos who will negotiate price.

I just wanted to know what his prices are like from someone who has ordered from him. If there Super High, Average, etc...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mainbutter

Really? You don't understand the "quality" thing?

Take a look at the average adult jungle carpet python.. browned out and dirty. Take a look at all the adult jungles produced by John Battaglia over at the Morelia Trophy Club (and not even just his jungles, but ALL his snakes). Certain people are just particularly known for having above average specimens of certain morphs or species.

Not all spider ball pythons are the same, not all pastels are the same, not all bumblebees are the same. Some people consistently produce better looking versions of a particular ball python morph, and from what I've seen of Ralph Davis' animals, he is one of them.

I never look for the cheapest, ugliest specimen of what I'm looking for. I pay more, and so far I've always gotten more.

---

Uhhh....how about just ask for pics before buying??? And if you really want to go the extra mile, ask for pics of the parents...a great looking spider from RDR is no more valuable than a great looking spider from joe blow...please explain how that doesn't make sense...:confused:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Powerspythons

I think it also has to do with the fact that he produces thousands of snakes...or atleast hundreds every season..If he had to go through and say alright this snake is $XX and this snake is $XX with a picture for each one it would take FOREVER and for someone who has that many snakes in their collection to care for, and that many feeders to produce each week, along with running a construction business(or whatever he does..) I'm sure he would rather just pick up the phone hear what the customer wants and instantly quote a price instead of spending hours and hours and hours putting up prices for each and every snake he produces on his website...That being said I agree that it would be easier for the shopper to see a price tag on every snake but he does it the way that is easy for him..he's been doing this for a long time, I'm sure it works just fine.

---

Ok fine maybe not list a price for every single snake but have it by the clutch then.
Like this:

For this Clutch prices range from $650 to $7500

Atleast then you would have an idea? My point is you dont know anything from looking at his page and if that works for him Great!!! But for me I will just pass on by and I'm sure I'm not the only one:gj:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sho220

Uhhh....how about just ask for pics before buying??? And if you really want to go the extra mile, ask for pics of the parents...a great looking spider from RDR is no more valuable than a great looking spider from joe blow...please explain how that doesn't make sense...:confused:

---

I agree with this.. just because you buy a snake from "Joe blow" doesn't mean its not as high or even higher quality than one bought from a big name its about the health and over all appearance of each animal not who they came from.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jason79

I agree with this.. just because you buy a snake from "Joe blow" doesn't mean its not as high or even higher quality than one bought from a big name its about the health and over all appearance of each animal not who they came from.

---

Thanks...I was starting to think that maybe I was just missing something...:D

Ralph Davis is a great reptile breeder. That is all there is to it, you don't get to where he is today without knowing what you are doing.

That being said for being one of the "Big Name" breeders he has one of THE WORST websites I have ever seen in my life.

BHB is bigger then Ralph, and they have a great website. So I can't say that Ralph just has so many animals its to hard to price them all.

I think its just Ralph's personal style, he would rather someone talk to him directly about his animals opposed to just shopping online.